News

Viking Ocean Cruises has ordered fourth newbuilding at Fincantieri - equipment supplier

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 04 December 2014 04 December 2014

Viking Ocean Cruises, the privately owned Switzerland based cruise shipping company, has placed an order with Fincantieri in Italy for a fourth cruise ship newbuilding, an equipment supplier said in a statement.

"This is our fourth new build contract with Fincantieri for Viking Ocean Cruises, and all the four vessels have Scanship Total Clean Ship," Frode Andersen, VP Sales & Marketing at Scanship, the Norwegian waste treatment system supplier, told Cruise Business Online.

EArlier today, the company said in a statement: "Scanship Holding ASA has through its subsidiary Scanship AS entered into a contract with the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri for a total clean ship system delivery to Viking Ocean Cruises newbuild," Scanship said.

"This is the fourth total clean ship system we will be delivering to Fincantieri for the Viking Ocean Cruises. From next year on until 2017, these ocean-going liners will enter service with the most advanced systems to date for waste management and wastewater purification. We are excited to be aboard, and to set sail in the tradition of real Viking exploration. This time around the voyage will be in an environmental sustainable way", Henrik Badin, CEO of Scanship, said in the statement.

Viking Ocean Cruises' first three ships will be called Viking Star, Viking Sea and Viking Sea, respectively. The company has been expected to place an order for fourth vessel. They are of 47,800 gross tons and can accommodate 928 passengers each. The company will commence operations next year and it targets the high end of the market.

Virgin Group sets up Virgin Cruises, appoints ex Disney Cruise Line president McAlpin as CEO

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 04 December 2014 04 December 2014

Virgin Group, the London based company of the billionaire businessman Sir Richard Branson, says it has established Virgin Cruises in Miami and that Tom McAlpin, formerly president of Disney Cruise Line has been appointed CEO of the new venture.

"The company will be based in the Miami area and plans to design and construct two new world class cruise ships. Virgin Cruises will offer guests an outstanding experience, although their launch date is strictly under wraps for the moment," Virgin Group said in a statement.

“We plan to shake up the cruise industry and deliver a holiday that customers will absolutely love,” Richard Branson, Virgin Group Founder, said. “They’ll be sailing on the latest ships offering a great quality, a real sense of fun and many exciting activities all delivered with the famed Virgin service.”

Tom McAlpin joins the Virgin Cruise management team as CEO, fresh from his position as President and CEO of The World, Residences at Sea. Previously Tom was the president of Disney Cruise Line having joined as part of the founding management team.

“Cruise guests deserve something better and different to what is being offered today, and Virgin Cruises is committed to creating breathtaking experiences for them and a new generation of guests,” he said. “Opportunities like this do not come often, so I am very excited to lead this business and introduce the Virgin brand to the cruise industry, as it has always put customers at the heart of what it does.”

To work on this new venture, Virgin has teamed up with one of the world’s leading private investment firms, Bain Capital. “We are pleased to pursue this exciting opportunity with Virgin, one of the world’s most respected and iconic brands,” Ryan Cotton, a principal with Bain Capital said. “With a small number of global players, an experience in need of refreshing, and consumers ready for something new and exciting, the industry exhibits all the characteristics of one that is ripe for a new entrant.”

Jason Montague appointed President and COO for Prestige Cruise Holdings

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 01 December 2014 01 December 2014

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (Nasdaq: NCLH) announced today that Jason Montague has been named President and Chief Operating Officer of Prestige Cruise Holdings, Inc. effective today, following the resignation of Kunal S. Kamlani. Montague was instrumental in launching Oceania Cruises in 2002 and is widely regarded as one of the original co-founders of the company.

“As we continue to refine the future organization, Jason stands out as a leader who is knowledgeable about the brands and is so passionate about them,” said Kevin Sheehan, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. “Jason’s financial background also aligns well with our corporate culture and strong focus on financial discipline.”

Prestige Cruise Holdings, Inc. Chief Executive Officer Frank Del Rio noted that Montague had played a key part in creating the great brands that have been built at Prestige. “We are confident that both the Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands will continue to prosper and grow with Jason at the helm,” said Del Rio.

Most recently, Montague served as Executive Vice President and Chief Integration Officer for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. Prior to the acquisition of Prestige, he served as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of Prestige Cruise Holdings, Inc. During his twelve year tenure, he helped Del Rio launch Oceania Cruises in 2002 and has seen the company through the purchase of its initial three R-class vessels, the equity investment by Apollo Management, the acquisition and integration of Regent Seven Seas Cruises, the financing and delivery of Oceania Cruises’ Marina and Riviera new builds and the recent acquisition by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.

“I am truly excited to take the helm of these two amazing brands which have had so much success and have such a bright future ahead,” said Montague. “I look forward to building relationships with the travel agent community, delivering an exceptional product for our loyal guests, and engaging our hard-working team members.”

Prior to joining Oceania Cruises, Montague operated a successful consulting practice focused on strategic planning and development of small to medium-sized companies. Previously, he held the position of Vice President Finance for Alton Entertainment Corporation, a brand equity marketer who was majority owned by the Interpublic Group of Companies. Montague holds a BBA in Accounting from the University of Miami.